Meyer Turku Shipyard with contract for two OPVs

In a tender organised in 2021, the Finnish Border Guard selected Meyer Turku Oy as a supplier. On June 29, 2022, in Helsinki, both parties signed a contract to build these OPVs.

Finland modernises the fleet with new low-carbon OPVs

New units will be an improved OPV variantTurva, which was commissioned for service at the FBG in 2014 as the world's first LNG-powered coastal guard vessel. Under the terms of the agreement, signed on 29 June, the first new OPV is to be completed in 2025 and the second in 2026. Ships will be assembled and equipped in Finland. Ship hull segments will be produced in other shipyards in the EU.

The new OPV is the result of the Guard Ship program 2025 for which EUR 448 million has been allocated. They are intended to replace the three older OPVs:Merikarhu, TursasandUiskoand their projected operation will last until the 1950s. Based on specificationsTurvy, it can be assumed that the two new OPVs will be 98 m long, 17.6 m wide, dive 5.1 m. and a maximum speed of 18 knots. The ships were designed as low-carbon and energy-efficient, including a modern hybrid dual-fuel drive system with a power of 12 MW.

Strengthen maritime safety with new patrol vessels

The introduction of new ships will significantly improve maritime security Finland in a new, now changed national security environment. It will increase the capacity to mass evacuation of the population, conduct rescue actions, manage environmental disasters, conduct patrols along a 4600 km coastline. Ships will be able to collect up to 1180 m from the sea surface³oil, put out fires on ships, swim in ice conditions and fight chemical spills.

Funding for the purchase of vessels Finland may in part obtain from the EU border security financing instrument and visa policy.

Written by TW